Chapter 968: 968.Chapter 966: Within Lies the Universe

968. Chapter 966: Within Lies the Universe

"Lu Family Head, please wait a moment; after my subordinate reports to the commander, I'll immediately take you to find Yang Fan."

As his words fell, the middle-aged man turned around and walked toward a tent at the back, seemingly contacting Yang Fan.

"Really strange, Wang Yong usually treats me like a stranger—nose not nose, eyes not eyes—but now he's so enthusiastic. Could he have taken some catnip…?" Looking at the middle-aged man's back, Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, his heart full of doubt.

Soon after, the middle-aged man returned, looked at Lu Yuan and said: "Manor Lord Lu, our commander requests your presence; please follow me."

Having said that, the middle-aged man led the way ahead, bringing Lu Yuan toward that tent at the back.

Lu Yuan followed behind the middle-aged man, his doubts growing stronger. He couldn't help but shake his head in self-mockery: "I'm really jumping at shadows; Yang Fan is just a good-for-nothing—what difference does a bit of background make? Could he possibly stir up a big wave?"

Lu Yuan couldn't help but laugh helplessly, shook his head, and cast aside his thoughts.

Inside the tent, Yang Fan sat cross-legged on the bed, quietly practicing the Nine Dragon Body Forging Technique.

"Hum!"

Suddenly, Yang Fan felt a scorching heat surge from his chest, quickly permeating his limbs and bones, making his whole body warm and especially comfortable.

This is the effect of the Nine Dragon Body Forging Technique!

Over these past few days, Yang Fan has relentlessly tempered his flesh, achieving considerable strength.

……

Afterward, Lu Yuan followed that middle-aged man to the tent where Yang Fan was.

At this moment, Yang Fan had stopped his cultivation.

His face was slightly pale, fine sweat beading on his forehead, yet his eyes were bright and spirited, gleaming with a light as deep and captivating as the stars.

"Sir!" Upon seeing Lu Yuan, Yang Fan immediately rose and performed a respectful salute.

"Are you Yang Fan?" Lu Yuan glanced at Yang Fan and said lightly.

"Junior Yang Fan." Yang Fan lowered his head and replied respectfully.

"I heard you are Lu Yuan's sworn brother?"

Yang Fan raised his head and answered respectfully: "Yes!"

"Then tell me, Manor Lord Lu, what's the story with Lu Yuan's sworn brother?" Lu Yuan said with a stern face.

"I am someone he rescued while traveling in the Southern Ridge Territory." Yang Fan explained.

"Oh? A lifesaver?" Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows, looking at Yang Fan with interest: "Since you are his sworn brother, your talent must be excellent—why not stay at the Lu Manor? Why did you come to Northern Mausoleum City instead?"

"This..." Yang Fan hesitated, unwilling to lie.

Seeing this, Lu Yuan became even more convinced that Yang Fan was no ordinary person, yet he patiently said: "Rest assured, the Lu Family will always welcome your addition. As long as you work hard, you will surely make a name for yourself throughout the West River Commandery and even the Southern Ridge Territory, with a chance to become a grand master of an era! By then, our Lu Family will certainly honor you as a distinguished guest."

Having said that, he paused slightly, then continued: "If you don't like being the young master of the Lu Family, I can transfer you out of the Lu Manor—what do you think?"

Lu Yuan's attitude was sincere, without any pretense; this was truly what he wanted to ask.

Nowadays, although the Lu Manor has risen, due to Lu Yuan it has suffered much hostility.

Especially the Lu Family's mortal enemy, the Zhao Family, which hates nothing more than to eliminate Lu Yuan and utterly destroy the Lu Family!

Lu Yuan worried that if he left the Lu Manor, he might invite disaster; after all, the Lu Family is now too weak to match a great clan like the Zhao Family. Hearing this, Yang Fan felt somewhat moved, and his impression of Lu Yuan improved considerably.

Originally, Yang Fan agreed to enter the Lu Manor at Lu Yuan's invitation not only out of gratitude to Lu Yuan, but more so because of Lu Yuan's character and his care for Lu Yun; otherwise, given his personality, how could he possibly be content to remain subordinate?

He, Yang Fan, has never lacked backbone! After a moment's contemplation, Yang Fan slowly raised his head and said solemnly: "Manor Lord Lu, actually, I have come to seek refuge with the Lu Family."

"Seek refuge with the Lu Family?" Lu Yuan blinked in surprise.

Yang Fan nodded, saying solemnly: "I indeed have come to seek refuge in the Lu Manor, hoping to follow you."

"Hehe! Good lad, straightforward enough—I, the Manor Lord, appreciate you." Lu Yuan clapped his hands and laughed loudly: "As long as you are loyal to the Lu Family, the Lu Manor will always welcome you! Rest assured, as long as you follow me, I will surely make you the strongest of the Lu Family, surpassing even my father."

Although Lu Yuan knew Yang Fan was rescued by his son Lu Fei, and believed Lu Fei hadn't deceived him, this remained a matter worthy of suspicion, as did Yang Fan's background. After all, Yang Fan's strength is such that he can instantly kill a Primordial Spirit Warrior—shocking to hear, completely overturning Lu Yuan's understanding of a Primordial Spirit Warrior's power.

Moreover, Yang Fan is only about twenty years old; if he were an ordinary martial artist, he would have broken through to the Later Spirit Warrior realm by the age of fifteen or sixteen.

In this world, martial arts are myriad and secret techniques countless—who can guarantee there are no reversals of fortune? One must be on guard! "Thank you, Manor Lord Lu, for your kindness, but my ambitions are lofty; I seek a higher realm. As the saying goes, a gentleman has his do's and don'ts—I will never commit the betrayal of a friend and forget gratitude." Yang Fan shook his head and refused Lu Yuan.

"Just kidding!"

His coming to rely on Lu Yuan was merely a temporary expedient—how could he possibly truly submit to the Lu Family?

Furthermore, Yang Fan does not need Lu Yuan's help to increase his strength; he has his own plans.

Although Lu Yuan's strength is formidable, compared to Yang Fan the gap is huge; Yang Fan can easily overwhelm Lu Yuan.

"You..."

Having been refused by Yang Fan, Lu Yuan's face darkened and he was furious.

"Forget it, Father, Yang Fan isn't willing—forcing him would be useless." Seeing Lu Yuan's reaction, Lu Yuan hurriedly spoke to console him.

"Hmph, kid, remember this: my son being able to look up to you is your blessing—don't throw away your dignity!" Lu Yuan gave Yang Fan a cold glance and shouted sternly.

"Father, don't be angry, I'll go talk to him." Lu Yuan comforted him with a sentence, then prepared to go talk to Yang Fan.

Unfortunately, Yang Fan didn't wait for Lu Yuan to finish speaking, turned and walked out of the council hall.

Seeing this, Lu Yuan frowned slightly and said displeased: "This kid, what attitude!"

Yang Fan's actions angered him.

……

Night fell, the stars glittered, the moon bright and the stars sparse.

Under the night sky, the Lu Family was brightly lit.

In the open space at the center of the courtyard, two figures stood side by side, gazing at the bright moonlight and the wandering fireflies.

Lu Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, glanced at Yang Fan beside him, and got straight to the point: "Yang Fan, what have you decided? As long as you are willing to follow Lu Yuan, I can agree to any condition."

"Manor Lord Lu, please return! I haven't yet made up my mind." Yang Fan shook his head and said.

Lu Yuan's mouth twitched, a hint of coldness flickering in his eyes, his tone icy: "You'd better think it through—once you miss this opportunity, no one will help you!" (End of Chapter)